Local artist Ronald Shelley to exhibit in Coconut Grove

By Lee Stephens

Cabbage Palms in the Dry Season by Ronald Shelley. Second place winner at Impressions of Florida 2011 Bonnet House Museum and Gardens Show.

An exhibition of artworks by local artist, Ronald Shelley will be displayed at the Frameworks Gallery in Coconut Grove, July 7 through July 31, 2012. “Florida Formations: The Paintings and Sculptures of Ronald Shelley” will feature land- scapes, “man as machine” sculp- tures, with associated prints, and prints of fetishistic footwear. An opening reception to meet the award-winning artist is scheduled for Saturday, July 7 from 7 PM to 10 PM at the Frameworks Gallery. Ronald Shelley has enjoyed a long and successful career as an illustrator, concept artist and fine artist. Shelley’s seemingly effort- less style belies his mastery of the exacting watercolor technique. The artist’s skills extend to his graceful depictions of cabbage palms in the Everglades, dramatic tropical skies and the subtleties of Florida’s changing seasons. Capturing the landscapes of Florida and the Caribbean are consistent themes in his body of work.

The “Man as Machine” sculp-ture and print series are based on a the artist created decades ago. At the heart of this sculpture is the artist’s belief that humans and machines have become inter- twined. “We have harnessed machines instead of horses to help with our work, but the machines have now harnessed us,” said Shelley.

Whimsical prints of women’s shoes arise from Shelley’s interest in shoes as func- tional pieces of art. The endless varieties of shoes and their graceful curves, shapes and patterns are captured in prints of the origi- nal watercolor paintings. Frameworks Gallery is located in Coconut Grove at 3196 Commodore Plaza. For more information contact Donna Shelley at 786-210-9750. Visit the artist at www.shelleystudio.com